Oh no! It’s July already? How did this happen? I want my June back! Time is going too fast! Someone cast a slow spell aaaahh! No, I’m just kidding–July is a good thing! Why? Because that means our annual fancy videogame party, the Hand Eye Society Ball, is that much closer to happening! In case you missed it, we announced that the Ball is returning again this year at the Masonic Temple on September 21st! We’re also looking for Sponsors, Volunteers and Game Submissions! Ticketing goes live very soon, so keep an eye on your inboxes…

So many new and exciting things for our 10 year (10 years? WHAT?) anniversary and we can’t wait to share all of our current plans and future dreams.

That being said, time for July stuff! Love you all okay thanks bye!

Don’t forget, there’s Google Calendar, in which you can check out all of the events here in one handy, downloadable place!

Kingdom Hearts Orchestra: World of Tres. I know y’all love your HYUCKS and your *duck speak*, so I added this in just for you.

July 15 – 19

Summer is coming. (take THAT Game of Thrones) and that means Camp Make-A-Game is almost upon us! Hand Eye Society’s FREE week-long full-day summer camp for kids 8-12 with the Toronto Reference Library! This program is made possible thanks to the generous contributions of our Studio Sponsors: Capybara, Rocket 5, DrinkBox Studios, Asteroid Base, Globacore Inc, Longbow Games, Phantom Compass, Get Set Games, Uken Games, Wayward, Prodigy Games, Laundry Bear Games, Daniel Posner and Ramen Benyamin.

Are you a game dev studio and want to sponsor the Camp? Become a member, today!

July 17

Remaking Game Work is a public forum with game developers, media work researchers, and digital labour activists to discuss working conditions and social inequalities in the video games industry and strategies to improve conditions in digital media. Special guests: Dan Joseph, Katherine Lapointe, Maggie McCraw, Austin Walker, Johanna Weststar, Jennifer R. Whitson and Sagan Yee!

July 20 & 21 [UPDATE: POSTPONED DUE TO WEATHER]

Our year-round Game Curious programming with Evergreen Brick Works continues with Skylab Revolution, a new, interactive installation brought to the Children’s Garden by Little Dada with support from Hand Eye Society. It will feature a number of exciting activities for children to explore the Garden from the perspective of an astronaut! Facilitators will be on hand to encourage participants to use the spaceship equipment to investigate, experiment, and discover their own unique view of the space around them. Drop-in, 10am to 3pm both days in the Children’s Garden.

Also that weekend: It’s the Pretty Heroes & Toronto Sailor Moon Celebration 2019! As if I’d miss an event like this. It’s all about events dedicated to strong female characters and that’s rad af!

July 26

ConBravo! is here again if you’re willing to travel over to Hamilton!

WHERE TO HAUNT – SOCIALS

July 7

The July Edition of the Game Design Meetup at Snakes & Lattes! 

Sunday Sundae Social with DMG! Mmm ice cream…

#ICYMI

HES launched our Six for Bricks zine–a collaboration with artists and game makers in Toronto at Evergreen Brick Works! Check out our photo album here. Missed your chance to get one? No worries, there will be available at upcoming Toronto events! Don’t forget to check out the other three upcoming programs in our Game Curious at Evergreen Brick Works series.

Speaking of zines, Bit Bazaar at TMAC was abuzz with indie, art, and tech of all shapes and sizes. In Case You Missed It, check out all the brilliant artists and creators who showcased their work; even if you couldn’t make it, they’re still out there making stuff!

COMING AND GOING ATTRACTIONS

Oh my stars–it’s a N E W  G A M E by 13am Games! I want it RIGHT NOW!

BREADWINNER – JOBS/GIGS/OPPORTUNITIES/DEADLINES

Digital Justice Labs is looking for participants for their upcoming project: virtual grounds: a series dedicated to feminist perspectives on digital sustainability and survival.

Ever wanted to tell the United Nations, what children think about growing up in a digital age? Now is the time. Please send an email or give Professor Sara Grimes from the University of Toronto to make your voice heard.

Uken has jobs!

Rockstar has jobs!

Ubisoft has jobs!

Disclaimer: This is a monthly compilation of various Toronto game news and events in and around the city — many of which are not organized by Hand Eye Society — and is by no means comprehensive. Always check official links for accurate details and credits, and please send any corrections, additions, or submissions for future months to calendar@handeyesociety.com before the month in which the event takes place.

It’s June! Finally! I never thought we’d make it! Give yourselves a pat on the back. This is what I wanted! You ready to feel that H E A T? Let’s sizzle on Queen Street, baby!!!

Anyway, last month was WILD for Hand Eye Society! We had Comics X Games at TCAF and we also had our second Anti-fascist game jam! But alas, it’s June and we get to start over again with more events that’ll make your head spin (in a good way, we don’t want y’all gettin’ dizzy!) Now I want to go to the beach and play my Nintendo DS…mmm yes, that’s a good June to me.

Also, don’t forget to save the date for September 21st! [REDACTED] is happening soon and we’ll be dropping new details in a city near you! Don’t sleep, and keep your eyes on our feed for updates! Let’s go, 30ºC!

Also, I saw this tweet (below) and I was like “oh.”

Please email me your answer because I’M VERY INTERESTED IN YOUR THOUGHTS!111!one!11eleven!11

Don’t forget, there’s Google Calendar, in which you can check out all of the events here in one handy, downloadable place!

WHERE TO HAUNT – SOCIALS

June 10

Game Workers Union Toronto chapter is having their Game Workers Mixer at the Burdock Music Hall! Register and bring your co-workers with you after work!

June 20

The Indie Mixer is back and even more awesome than ever with their collaboration with Bonus Stage! Get your mix on at The Hive and register/RSVP on their website.

#ICYMI

COMING AND GOING ATTRACTIONS

The Long Exposure Festival is will be here next month!

On July 13th, the second Long Exposure Festival will fill Flemingdon park with interactive games, installations, snacks and performances!

This is a free, all-ages event. There will be workshops for kids on how to spin poi and assemble LED toys to explore, alongside the artwork in the park. The Long Exposure Festival features a 8ft glowing moon, an interactive claw machine, aerial dance performers, a glow-in-the-dark ball pit, and more!  This event is located in Flemingdon park between Gateway Blvd and Don Mills Rd, next to the soccer field.

The 4th Annual VRTO – Virtual & Augmented Reality World Conference & Expo! (Hand Eye Society Members keep a lookout in your email for a surprise )

Summer is coming. (take THAT Game of Thrones) And that means Camp Make-A-Game is almost upon us!

https://twitter.com/phoenixsimms/status/1132319992840634368

BREADWINNER – JOBS/GIGS/OPPORTUNITIES/DEADLINES

The 2019 Full Indie Summit is-a comin’ this September! Not only that but they’re looking for speakers! If you have something on your chest, now’s the time to speak up!

This might be useful to Ontario games folk? The Ontario government is speeding up tax credits for your games! Which is good because most other things they’re up to is awful.

https://twitter.com/JanDavidHassel/status/1132577573987336192

Uken has jobs!

Rockstar has jobs!

Ubisoft has jobs!

Disclaimer: This is a monthly compilation of various Toronto game news and events in and around the city — many of which are not organized by Hand Eye Society — and is by no means comprehensive. Always check official links for accurate details and credits, and please send any corrections, additions, or submissions for future months to calendar@handeyesociety.com before the month in which the event takes place.

Yay! It’s May! It’s been a long time coming and there’s great stuff coming up! “But Royel, what kind of stuff you may ask me?” and I’ll say, “ACK! exCUSE ME??? It’s Comics X Games this month! Have you even seen the GAMES or even seen the TALKS?? How dare you!” And then you’ll be like, “I’m sorry I let you down.” And I’ll be like, “It’s fine! See ya there ok thanks byeeee!”

Still, we at Hand Eye Society are hard at work making our other upcoming events are in tip top shape! Speaking of which, S E P T E M B E R…..

Why do I keep mentioning September? So weird… Anyway, it’s time to see what’s up this month and digest the heck out of it!

Don’t forget, there’s Google Calendar, in which you can check out all of the events here in one handy, downloadable place!

WHERE TO JAUNT – EVENTS

May 1

Our friends at Glad Day Bookshop is having a launch party for Shout Out–A queer YA anthology! Sketches and signings and social, oh my!

May 2

Using Twitch Streaming for Performance Art? Uhh… hells yeah, count me in!

May 1-5

Go support OCAD students with their GradEx 104–A graduate exhibition~ It’s all free and features the work of 800 students??? Excuse me?? HOW?

May 4

There’s going to be a Super Smash Bros. Ultimate! Choose Sonic or Jigglypuff who are the best characters! Shout outs to The Black Nerds for hosting!

There’s also going to be a games tournament at Sky Zone Toronto! Could be fun!

May the 4th be with you!  

Ooo bby

May 5

We at Hand Eye Society are hosting our first ever Anti-Fascist Game Jam! Sign up to our form for additional details!

May 7

Toronto Gaymers are back at it with another session of FIGHT CLUB!

May 9

TCAF Drink n’ Draw is here! You can…uhh…drink…and draw! Wild! What a fun time!

Power Up Bar has Rock Band Nights for those who want to get their rock on. Hells yeah, play that GEEETAAAR!

Detective Pikachu! Lmao. Not really Toronto-related, but I sure as heck am going to see this movie! I can’t wait!

May 11

It’s finally here! The One! The Only! It’s the annual Hand Eye Society Comics X Games featuring speakers, over 30 games and endless fun! Ahhh! We’re working hard to bring you the best one yet! It’s going to be awesome!

There’s going to be a TCAF Queer Mixer! Get your queer butts over to the Glad Day Bookshop and chat up a storm with like-minded individuals!

You like Marvel, right? Well, get those superhero tights out and fly on down to Power Up Bar who is hosting the Ultimate Marvel Party! (maybe it’s a good idea to watch Avengers:Endgame before you go? folks might be talking about that movie!)

May 12

Oh wow, what a treat! Perturbator is going to have a concert at The Phoenix! You may remember them from Hotline Miami! It’s gonna be a BOP!

May 13

Another month, another super fun game designers night at Snakes & Lattes. Prototype, play and chat!

May 15

Join us for a FREE night of talk and play with game workers, players and artists confronting capitalism, white supremacy, and misogyny in real and virtual worlds.  Unfeeling Capitalism: Ruptures in Videogame Culture is presented by Mayworks Festival of Working People and the Arts, in collaboration with Hand Eye Society, Dames Making Games, Toronto Media Arts Centre, Unifor National, and Game Workers Unite.

May 16

Want to learn how to create reusable model assets? DMG has their Modular Building with 3DS Max & UE4 event just for youuuuu!

May 29

DMG is hosting a talk about Writing Dialogue For Games! Narrative designers, GET IN HERE!

WHERE TO HAUNT – SOCIALS

May 8

Creator Resource is hosting a Short Stories & Zines Panel and Social in in partnership of TCAF! Looks like a lot of fun!

May 9

It’s the Breakfast Game Audio Club happening at TMAC! Eat light noms, chat about game audio! Have fun!

May 11-12

Again! Yay! Comics X Games at TCAF! It’s gonna be wild! Come play! Come chat! Come sit around and watch everyone say “excuse me” and “sorry” as they bump into each other in the library looking at cool zines, games and more! It’s gonna be so much fun!

The DMG May Speaker Social is ON LIKE DONKEY KONG!

May 20

Friends Play Games #127? Wow, I can’t even count that high! Get out there and play games! Also, if you’re going to talk about Avengers: Endgame, make sure you don’t spoil it for others who haven’t seen it yet. Keep TMAC a Spoiler-free zone! #thoughtful

May 21

B O N U S  S T A G E~ This month’s topic is themes and tropes in games, so you’ll know a lot of folks will have something to say. Check it.

COMING AND GOING ATTRACTIONS

COME TO COMICS X GAMES OH MY GOODNESS IT’S GOING TO BE SO MUCH FUN I CAN’T EVEN DEAL

https://twitter.com/Mr_Tedders/status/1123255783125286913

#ICYMI

https://twitter.com/Mr_Tedders/status/1123907232213630977

There was a feature on CBC about Crunching in videogeames, which I think you REALLY should read. Also, support Game Workers Unite Toronto!

BREADWINNER – JOBS/GIGS/OPPORTUNITIES/DEADLINES

Our friends at Get Set Games has a lot of jobs open for ya!

Ubisoft has jobs!

Rockstar has JERBS!!

Achimostawinan Games is looking for a 2D Animator/Artist and Cree Translator for their new game, Hill Agency!

Disclaimer: This is a monthly compilation of various Toronto game news and events in and around the city — many of which are not organized by Hand Eye Society — and is by no means comprehensive. Always check official links for accurate details and credits, and please send any corrections, additions, or submissions for future months to calendar@handeyesociety.com before the month in which the event takes place.

Brandonnns, Messhofs, beer, popsicles, games, and goodtimes. Photos of last Thursday’s Hand Eye Social are up here.

The issue I’ll have with me is the second edition of the issue I sold at Canzine (next to the Torontron, see here) and completely failed to announce at the time, so if you already own a copy, huzzah! and you don’t have to bother picking it up again (unless all the original spelling mistakes and grammatical errors annoy you.)

Anyway, if you see me around and want a copy, just ask (I am the dude next to the magazines in the previously-linked coverage). And if you want one but aren’t coming to the social (for shame!) you can buy online here. Thanks!